Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Tatchell Recalls George Michael in Harringay & Manor House
Writing in the Independent, Peter Tatchell recalls his first meetings with George MIchael in Manor House and Harringay:
I first met George in about 1980, when he was still a teenager and long before he was famous. It was a chance meeting in a small gay disco above a pub by Manor House tube station in north London. He was a great dancer and sang along to all of the songs. He had a good voice and said he was going to be a pop star. There were lots of wannabes in those days. I thought: maybe this one might actually be on to something.
I was surprised and pleased when he hit the big time three years later with Wham!
Around this time he was going to the gay nightclub, Bolts, in Haringey [sic]*, even though he was still closeted and not open about his homosexuality. This was a risky move for a major pop star, but typical of the risks he often took throughout his life. Some of us wondered whether going to Bolts was a manifestation of an unconscious wish to get outed by the press so he'd be forced to stop leading a secretive double life, with all the stresses it entailed.
*Tatchell is referring to the club that used to be above where Tesco is now based on Green Lanes in Harringay
Full article here.
Thanks to Colin Banon for flagging up this article on HoL's Facebook page.
More on this from 2011 here.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Here's a potted history of the venue from what I can find out.
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Here's a video from 2012 showing more of the interior:
And a page I found listing all the records published by Bolts Records. I met Nikki Price some years ago. He's still around and part of the Tottenham Traders Association.
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Permalink Reply by The Black Lark on
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If anyone can do regression therapy, maybe I can remember what else used to be on at Lasers, living only a few doors away. I came here in '85. Knowing people at Middlesex Poly, they used to throw a party or two there, but I can't remember the regular nights
My only memory of George and Andrew is of what I think was Dr Crippens wine bar in the precinct opp. Bromley South (82/83?). So hazy, I'd have to ask around...
I've got more memories of standing at the counter of Music Power (on the Parade) and Nicky(?) playing me import 12's - clearly remember 'Optimistic' - Sounds of Blackness for the very first time. Always so loud, you could hear the shop from blocks away in the summer.
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